LA JOLLA, Calif. - The 3rd-ranked UC San Diego baseball team rallied in the late innings but came up short against NAIA power Point Loma Nazarene in an 8-6 loss at Triton Ballpark on Tuesday afternoon. It was UCSD's first home loss since a loss to Western Oregon on February 15, 2009. The Tritons won 17 consecutive home games, including Monday's 16-4 win over San Diego Christian College. The Tritons had the potential tying runs on base in the ninth inning but could not muster the tying hit. The loss drops UCSD to 1-1, while Point Loma Nazarene improves to 3-1-1.
UCSD was ultimately done in by the bat of PLNU's Allen Boyer. The centerfielder finished 4-for-5 with three doubles and a homerun and four RBI.
Grant Bauer, Brandon Gregorich and Evan Kehoe had multi-hit games for UCSD. Bauer had two RBI while Aaron Bauman, Danny Susdorf and Kehoe had RBI.
Matt Rossman got the start and had a rough first inning, but finished with a scoreless second and third frame in his stint.
Kirby St. John cruised through the first two innings with scoreless frames, but got into trouble in the sixth and ended up taking the loss.
Sean Greer, Elias Tuma, Richard Kilbury and Guido Knudson also saw action on the mound.
The winning pitcher was PLNU's Steven Winnick.
In the PLNU first, Wes Kartch hit a two RBI single up the middle and the Sea Lions took a 2-0 lead.
In the UCSD third, Bauer had a hit and run single to right field and pulled UCSD within 2-1. UCSD tied the game on an Aaron Bauman groundout to first base. With two outs, Kehoe dropped in an RBI single to right field and UCSD went in front 3-2.
In the PLNU sixth, Jeff Fox hit a pinch hit bases loaded single to drive in two RBI and the Sea Lions pulled ahead 4-3. With two outs, Allen Boyer hit his third double of the game to drive in two more RBI and PLNU had a 6-3 lead.
In the UCSD seventh, the Tritons scored an unearned run and loaded the bases with two outs but could not do more damaged and trailed 6-4.
Boyer hit a two-out two-run homerun in the eighth for the 8-4 PLNU lead.
In the UCSD eighth, the Tritons put two on with one out and Bauer hit an RBI single for a run. UCSD scored another run on an error and pulled UCSD within 8-6.
In the UCSD ninth with one out, Benton reached after striking out. The ball got away from the catcher and the throw to first was wide. Kyle Saul hit a deep flyout to left center and Robert Sedin put runners on the corners with a single. The next Triton batter was retired, ending the game at 8-6.
UCSD is back in action on Friday when it faces No. 18 Western Oregon in a battle of NCAA West Region powers. First pitch on Friday is slated for 2:00 p.m. at Triton Ballpark.
